present 1 of 4

verb

pri-ˈzent How to pronounce present (audio)
Definition of presentnext
1
as in to offer
to bring before the public in performance or exhibition we will present a performance of Our Town tomorrow evening

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in to introduce
to make (one person) known (to another) socially may I present my niece Sarah?

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to donate
to make a present of the company presented a gold watch to him on the occasion of his retirement

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

present

2 of 4

adjective

ˈpre-zᵊnt How to pronounce present (audio)
1
as in current
existing or in progress right now I am very busy at the present moment

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in attending
being within the confines of a specified place all of you are required to be present for every meeting

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

present

3 of 4

noun (1)

ˈpre-zᵊnt How to pronounce present (audio)
as in today
the time currently existing or in progress I cannot talk to you at present, but perhaps in a few minutes

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

present

4 of 4

noun (2)

ˈpre-zᵊnt How to pronounce present (audio)
as in gift
something given to someone without expectation of a return an impressive array of presents for the bride and groom

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb present contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of present are afford, bestow, confer, donate, and give. While all these words mean "to convey to another as a possession," present carries a note of formality and ceremony.

present an award

In what contexts can afford take the place of present?

The words afford and present are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, afford implies a giving or bestowing usually as a natural or legitimate consequence of the character of the giver.

the trees afford shade
a development that affords us some hope

When might bestow be a better fit than present?

While in some cases nearly identical to present, bestow implies the conveying of something as a gift and may suggest condescension on the part of the giver.

bestow unwanted advice

When is it sensible to use confer instead of present?

In some situations, the words confer and present are roughly equivalent. However, confer implies a gracious giving (as of a favor or honor).

confer an honorary degree

Where would donate be a reasonable alternative to present?

The synonyms donate and present are sometimes interchangeable, but donate is likely to imply a publicized giving (as to charity).

donate a piano to the orphanage

When could give be used to replace present?

While the synonyms give and present are close in meaning, give, the general term, is applicable to any passing over of anything by any means.

give alms
gave her a ride on a pony
give my love to your mother

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of present
Verb
Regional grid integration across Southeast Asia presents a timely opportunity to boost economic growth that is more reliable, affordable and equitable for a lower-carbon future. —Allan Marks, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025 Detective Sydow presented two powerful cases… pic.twitter.com/MntoJjwgiZ — Sacramento Sheriff (@sacsheriff) June 5, 2025 Sydow, who leads the sheriff’s Child Abuse Bureau, spoke about two recent cases, with images of the abused children displayed behind him. —Ethan Wolin, Sacbee.com, 5 June 2025
Adjective
All of the hallmarks that made the group such a force in the Seventies and Eighties — the irresistible melodies, the spark-up-and-chill vibes, those voices — are present here, without any trace of aping the past. —Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 6 June 2025 And remember what Robert Mondavi said: Wine is about slowing down, being with friends, and being present. —Forbes.com, 5 June 2025
Noun
At present, trading at $490, the stock has decreased 60% from its 52-week peak of about $1,200. —Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025 But this retrospective also gives us the opportunity to think once again about the medium, genre, practices, materials, and sites of sculpture in its recent past, its present, and possibly even its future. —Benjamin H. D. Buchloh, Artforum, 1 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for present
Recent Examples of Synonyms for present
  1. offer
  2. introduce
  3. donate
  4. current
  5. give
  6. volunteer
  7. ongoing
  8. available
Verb
  • State jobs are known for offering competitive benefits and enrollment in the nation’s largest pension plan.
    — Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado, Sacbee.com, 5 June 2025
  • Disney has expanded its content supply deal with Bell Media in Canada to offer a new streaming bundle that includes Disney+, Crave and TSN, starting later this year.
    — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 5 June 2025
Definition of offer
Verb
  • Other apps have introduced similar height filters (though Tinder remains the most popular among them — at least 14% of American adults have used it, per Pew Research Center).
    — Scottie Andrew, CNN Money, 7 June 2025
  • These regulations introduced the filing of a new Form 708 to report these transfers-noncompliance subjects the recipients to significant penalties.
    — Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 7 June 2025
Definition of introduce
Verb
  • In 2024, Isaacman donated to several Democrats, including Sens. Chuck Schumer, Jon Tester, Bob Casey and Mark Kelly.
    — Joe Walsh, CBS News, 6 June 2025
  • The guild donates hundreds of quilts and other handmade items to a variety of groups, including Rady Children’s Hospital, senior centers, hospitals, police and military groups.
    — Linda Mcintosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 June 2025
Definition of donate
Adjective
  • Anyone who may have seen Decker since Friday or knows his current location was asked to call 911.
    — Jennifer Sinco Kelleher, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2025
  • First, audit your current encryption methods and ensure that your infrastructure can manage these new algorithms.
    — Usman Javaid, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
Definition of current
Verb
  • But there are few substitutes for availability, and no player has given more to Spurs this season than Porro.
    — Elias Burke, New York Times, 28 May 2025
  • The former monk also gave specific advice on how to hone in on what's important in life.
    — Melody Chiu, People.com, 27 May 2025
Definition of give
Verb
  • Derek Condit, author of The Natural Beekeeper's Path: Treatment-Free Practices for a Living World, volunteered to help collect the bees.
    — Escher Walcott, People.com, 31 May 2025
  • My company, Reboot Partners, will be volunteering to help advance these initiatives with governments and the private sector.
    — Dean DeBiase, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
Definition of volunteer
Adjective
  • China remains the hub for global electronics manufacturing, including for PC graphics cards, video game consoles, and smartphones, although companies have been moving their manufacturing to India, Vietnam and Taiwan to avoid Trump’s ongoing trade war.
    — Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 29 May 2025
  • In North America, the company intends to shut approximately 20 underperforming stores amid ongoing reductions in foot traffic, as a part of a more extensive initiative to optimize its retail presence.
    — Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
Definition of ongoing
Adjective
  • According to a report published by the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) last year, total spend in the sector generated a total $421 billion and $119 billion in tax revenue in 2022, the most recent year in which full data was available.
    — Jenni Reid, CNBC, 1 June 2025
  • Though not available on all washing machines, the bulky cycle uses extra water and a lower spin speed to thoroughly soak and rinse your duvet.
    — Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 31 May 2025
Definition of available

Phrases Containing present

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presences
present
presentable
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Cite this Entry

“Present.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/present. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on present

Nglish: Translation of present for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about present

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